Why do we call it America???!?!?!?!?!?

El Chile

America was adopted by the Pilgrims to differentiate the new comers to the old world (England ) not that they separate the continent . now when they say I'm American in reality they mean "I'm not from England "but the continent was named after Americo Bespucio(sorry for the spelling) the navigator who help Christopher Columbus.

TLB

What does this question have to do with immigration? And who cares anyway.

Wayne A

I normally refer to your country as the US or simply "the States", yes I think America is far broader in it's meaning, although the connotation is often made in reference to the USA.

? Dirty Martini ?

We do it because we are verbally lazy and it is our own shorthand for speaking.

So why do you care and feel compelled to make such a point about this , anyway? Do you have a POINT that is actually relevant?

Fine. From now on, on this forum, you will only hear "US Citizens" (not Americans) from me.

USA !! USA !! USA!!

Which doesnt change anything.
Illegal aliens are STILL not citizens of the USA.

Josie826

I'm an American!

RedShanghai

Why not? I don't believe it is for any other reason than brevity. It is easier on the tongue and sounds nicer than "United States". It is common in English to have lots of different nicknames for things... U.S., U.S.A., America, the States.

volleyballchick

People breaking laws; dying for lies; stealing from the poor; harming our children; dying of starvation; destroying the lives of honest, hard-working people. . .

And THIS is what you are asking about?

Damn. . . Your life must be WONDERFUL!

Ifeelgood

Cause People of the US got a bad lesson in elementary school. America is a CONTINENT! not a Country!
They should better get a name for their country.

Jimmy F

Why is this such a big deal a country can call its self whatever it wants. If you want to you can change Mexicos name to Mexican America.

<Carol>

Anyone on this side of the world is american. but since United States of America is the biggest country most people associate americans as people that come from the US. that is why they are considered american. But you can still say your south american or central american or north american and people would understand.

oldwolf1951

The answer is simple: No other country in this hemisphere uses America in it's name. Only the United States does so. Brazil, Mexico, Canada, etc. do not. So why not call ourselves Americans. A little conceited maybe, but so what?

D3V!N

I would be pretty sure "America" is named that for the short abbreviation of "Americans; standing for the people who live in the United states".
so when you hear that, it could be for

U.S. = United Americans

U.S.A = United States of Americans

NONAME

here in Mexico when you say american we understand both things, but the first thing that comes to our mind is the picture of the continent, not of your country, since your country doesnt have an ORIGINAL name like the rest of us. the culture that could give your nation a name was exterminated by your ancestors, from whom your are so proud to come from.

and we dont call you americans, we call you gueros, gringos, gabachos o pend,ejos, but not americans, usually you are the only ones who describe yourselves that way.

we actually call your country United States (wich means nothing to anybody, since our country could easily use the same name, we are 31 states and a federal district, we dont usually call it Mexico City)

halestrm

We are on the American Continent, sorry, but really doubt anyone meant disrespect to anyone else.

The origin of the name America is in dispute but seems to be named in honor of Amerigo Vespucci, for his discovery of the mainland of the New World. OR "America" derives from the name of a Bristol-based Welshman, Richard Ameryk.

hardwoodrods

America! America! America! We got the name first, ha ha!

jessica39

although i dont see a problem with people calling themselves americans, as i call myself an american. you are actually correct that america is a continent not a country. but what else should we call ourselves?...?united staters?..sounds a little weird. i have had the same thought myself though. but there isnt a problem with united states citizens calling themselves americans, i will continue to do so.

CharlieG

Sorry, but I will continue to use American to describe myself..like someone said, no other country around here uses it in their nations name. The only thing we refer to as in "America" is North and South American continents, which is completely different thing, but I can understand the confusion.. In Spanish (in Latin America) The United States of America is usually just referred to as "Los Estados Unidos"..which in itself is also confusing as Mexico uses "Los Estados Unidos Mexicanos"...

Madi

we call it america because we live here and we know that we're talking about here. duhh. maybe in s. america they call themselves america too. why the hell not? and usually when people say america, they mean us, cuz we're such a powerful country.

jobgonetocheaplabor

BULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FRAGINAL-NOYPI

America is a misnomer for the US because it is a combination of the continents which is the North and South America.

Lisa A.

It's THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

What it is not : THE UNITED COUNTRIES OF AMERICA.

Pick up a dollar bill and read the back of it.

United STATES.. NOT Countries.

We live in the USA, so we get so use America. Like someone already said you don't see other countries saying Brazil of America.

Dee N

No the United States of America is. If you don't like it, I guess you could petition your government to change the name.

prettyrose

I don't really know since the indians were already here how could something be discovered and then theres the whole columbus thing and amerigo vespucci i'm not sure verything is confussing

Amanda h

This is actually a big thing in Mexico. When I would call myself an American, people would FREAK OUT. Say, we are North Americans, too! I have never truly understood why this is such a HUGE issue to Mexico. As I have always explained it: Our full name is the United States of America. That is long, and, over time it became known as "America". I don't really get WHY this is so offensive to Mexicans, and, no one could ever make it make sense. Can you explain it? Why would you care if we were called The united states of Bob?

Tony

Mexico is part of "America".

summermoondancer2004

Carol, actually that is a misconception. Canada is the largest country on the American continent. America is a continent and all the people in it are Americans. In fact Central Americans do call themselves just that in spanish it is centro americano when my husband says he is from Central America and is Central American people here look at him strange and ask him what state, he then chuckles and says Honduras.
Canada is part of North America as is Mexico and Central American countries, they all are North Americans just like those folks from Africa whether it is Nigeria or Ethiopia are all Africans.

skincancerdoctor

ignorance and US-centric insularity - typical of the arrogance of US citizens. You are competely right. North and South America, named after Amerigo Vespucci who may or may not have sighted the continent/s, is very large and the US is only about one/fifth or less

Gustavo CL

They call their country America because they're ashamed that they belong to a country without name.

PS: it's not only me, that say that, it's not only Latin Americans. French famous director Jean-Luc Goddard (that you don't know because you're a typical ignorant American) also said the US is the coutry without name.

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